Multi-modality communication participation

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are example embodiments for multi-modality communication participation. By way of example but not limitation, for a given communication, a remote user may interact with a remote communication device via a remote communication modality, and a local user may interact with a local communication device via a local communication modality. Described embodiments include, but are not limited to, conversion of communication data that corresponds to a remote communication modality to communication data that corresponds to a local communication modality, or vice versa. By way of further example but not limitation, for a given communication, a local user may interact with a local communication device via a user input interface in accordance with one communication modality and may interact with the local communication device via a user output interface in accordance with another communication modality.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Docket No. SE1-0304-US (0711-003-001-000000)), entitled “MULTI-MODALITY COMMUNICATION”, naming Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo Jr. as inventors, filed 28 Sep. 2011, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of two communication devices that may be participating in an example communication in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of two communication devices that may be participating in a communication involving two communication modalities in accordance with at least one example intimacy setting, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of an example communication device that may be participating in a communication using a signal receiver or a response handler in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4A is schematic diagram of a communication device that may be participating in a communication using an example response handler having a conversion effectuator in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4B is schematic diagram of a communication device that may be participating in a communication using an example conversion effectuator having a converter in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4C is schematic diagram of a communication device that may be participating in a communication using an example conversion effectuator having a conversion requester in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4D is a sequence diagram of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a local communication device.

FIG. 4E is a sequence diagram of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a remote communication device.

FIG. 4F is a sequence diagram of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a local communication device and at a remote communication device.

FIG. 4G is a sequence diagram of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a local communication device and in which a multi-modality input/output interaction occurs at the local communication device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example communication device including one or more example components in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for a communication device that may be participating in a communication involving two communication modalities in accordance with at least one example intimacy setting, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIGS. 6B-6K depict example alternatives for a flow diagram of FIG. 6A in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 7A is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for participating in a multi-modality communication, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIGS. 7B-7N depict example alternatives for a flow diagram of FIG. 7A in accordance with certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram 100 of two communication devices that may be participating in an example communication in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 100 may include communication devices 102, users 104, communication modalities 106, or at least one channel 108. More specifically, schematic diagram 100 may include a remote communication device 102R, a remote user 104R, a remote communication modality 106R, a local communication device 102L, a local user 104L, a local communication modality 106L, or a channel 108.

For certain example embodiments, a user 104 may be associated with a communication device 102. A user 104 may be interacting with a communication device 102 via at least one communication modality 106. Communication devices 102 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, a laptop or notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a netbook, an entertainment appliance (e.g., a television, a gaming console, a set-top box, a music player, some combination thereof, etc.), a smart phone, a portable gaming device, a user equipment, a tablet or slate computer, a home phone, a desktop computer, a personal navigation device (PND), a vehicle with user-accessible communication capabilities, a private branch exchange (PBX)-based phone, videoconferencing equipment, any combination thereof, and so forth. A user 104 may comprise, by way of example only, a person. Example communication modalities 106 may include, by way of example but not limitation, a textual communication modality (e.g., wherein text may be communicated such as via a text message), a vocal communication modality (e.g., wherein sounds may be communicated such as via a voice call or teleconference), a visual communication modality (e.g., wherein moving images may be communicated such as via a video call or video conference), any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, remote user 104R may be associated with remote communication device 102R. Remote user 104R may be interacting with remote communication device 102R via at least one remote communication modality 106R. Local user 104L may be associated with local communication device 102L. Local user 104L may be interacting with local communication device 102L via at least one local communication modality 106L. Remote communication device 102R or remote user 104R may be participating in at least one communication with local communication device 102L or local user 104L via one or more channels 108. A channel 108 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of: at least one wired link, at least one wireless link, at least part of public network, at least part of a private network, at least part of a packet-switched network, at least part of a circuit-switched network, at least part of an infrastructure network, at least part of an ad hoc network, at least part of a public-switched telephone network (PSTN), at least part of a cable network, at least part of a cellular network connection, at least part of an Internet connection, at least part of a Wi-Fi connection, at least part of a WiMax connection, multiple instances of any of the above, any combination of the above, and so forth. A channel 108 may include one or more nodes through which signals are propagated.

For certain example implementations, a communication may be initiated by remote communication device 102R, remote user 104R, local communication device 102L, local user 104L, any combination thereof, and so forth. For certain example implementations, remote communication modality 106R and local communication modality 106L may comprise a same one or more communication modalities 106 or may comprise at least one different communication modality 106. Furthermore, for certain example implementations, remote communication modality 106R or local communication modality 106L may change from one communication modality to another communication modality during a single communication, across different communications, and so forth.

Moreover, it should be understood that the terms “remote” and “local” may, depending on context, be a matter of perspective. For instance, a communication device 102 or user 104 or communication modality 106 may be considered a local one at one moment, for one communication, for one perspective, etc. but may be considered a remote one at a different moment, for a different communication, for a different perspective, etc. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the terms “remote” and “local” may serve, depending on context, to indicate that different interactions, acts, operations, functionality, a combination thereof, etc. may be occurring at, may be more closely associated with, a combination thereof etc. one side, aspect, location, combination thereof, etc. of a communication as compared to another side, aspect, location, combination thereof, etc. of the communication. For example, one signal may be transmitted from a remote communication device 102R and received at a local communication device 102L, or another signal may be transmitted from a local communication device 102L and received at a remote communication device 102R.

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram 200 of two communication devices that may be participating in a communication involving two communication modalities in accordance with at least one example intimacy setting, in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 200 may include communication devices 102, users 104, communication modalities 106, or at least one signal 202. More specifically, schematic diagram 200 may include a remote communication device 102R, a remote user 104R, a first communication modality 106-1, a local communication device 102L, a local user 104L, a second communication modality 106-2, or one or more signals 202. Furthermore, at least local communication device 102L may include (e.g., store, establish, have access to, a combination thereof, etc.) at least one intimacy setting 204.

For certain example embodiments, remote user 104R may be associated with remote communication device 102R. Remote user 104R may be interacting with remote communication device 102R via at least one first communication modality 106-1. Local user 104L may be associated with local communication device 102L. Local user 104L may be interacting with local communication device 102L via at least one second communication modality 106-2. First communication modality 106-1 may differ from second communication modality 106-2. Remote communication device 102R or remote user 104R may be participating in at least one communication with local communication device 102L or local user 104L via one or more signals 202. Signals 202 may propagate via one or more channels 108 (e.g., of FIG. 1). Signals 202, by way of example but not limitation, may comprise, electrical signals, magnetic signals, electromagnetic signals, photonic signals, wireless signals, wired signals, any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more signals 202 corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1. A local communication device 102L may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a second communication modality 106-2 in accordance with at least one intimacy setting 204. By way of example but not limitation, at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate what kind of one or more communication modalities a user is willing to expose for at least one communication.

For certain example embodiments, at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate how a user 104 is to interact with a communication device 102 with respect to a given communication without condition (e.g., a user may limit any current communications to text). Additionally or alternatively, at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate how a user 104 is to interact with a communication device with respect to a given communication on a conditional basis. By way of example only, a user 104 may indicate a communication modality in at least partial dependence on whether an associated communication device 102 initiated a communication or terminated a communication. For instance, at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate that communications are to be initiated using an interaction in accordance with a voice communication modality, but the at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate that communications are to be terminated using a textual communication modality. Additionally or alternatively, a local user 104L may indicate a local communication modality 106L (e.g., of FIG. 1) in at least partial dependence on a remote communication modality 106R. For instance, at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate that if a remote communication modality 106R corresponds to text, a local communication modality 106L is also to correspond to text; furthermore, the at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate that if a remote communication modality 106R corresponds to voice, a local communication modality 106L is to correspond to text; moreover, the at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate that if a remote communication modality 106R corresponds to video, a local communication modality 106L is to correspond to voice. Additionally or alternatively, a local user 104L may indicate a local communication modality 106L (e.g., of FIG. 1) that is based at least partially on an identity of a remote user 104R; a time of day, day of week, a combination thereof, etc.; an environmental condition (e.g., an ambient lighting level, a level or type of movement—e.g. vehicle motion may be detected, a combination thereof, etc.); any combination thereof; and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular examples.

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram 300 of an example communication device that may be participating in a communication using a signal receiver or a response handler in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 300 may include a local communication device 102L, a local user 104L, a second communication modality 106-2, or one or more signals 202. More specifically, a local communication device 102L of schematic diagram 300 may include at least one intimacy setting 204, a signal receiver 302, or a response handler 304.

For certain example embodiments, a signal receiver 302 may receive one or more signals 202 corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1. By way of example but not limitation, one or more signals 202 may correspond to first communication modality 106-1 if one or more signals 202 originated at remote communication device 102R (e.g., of FIG. 2) in at least partial dependence on interaction by remote user 104R with remote communication device 102R via first communication modality 106-1, if one or more signals 202 are derived at least partly from interaction by remote user 104R with remote communication device 102R via first communication modality 106-1, if one or more signals 202 are encoded to support user input via first communication modality 106-1, if one or more signals 202 are encoded to support user output in accordance with first communication modality 106-1, any combination thereof, and so forth. A response handler 304 may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a second communication modality 106-2 in accordance with at least one intimacy setting 204. Example implementations with respect to a response handler 304 are described herein below with particular reference to at least FIGS. 4A-4C. Additional and/or alternative implementations are described herein below with respect to at least FIGS. 6A-6K.

For certain example embodiments, signal receiver 302 and response handler 304 may comprise a single component together, a single component apiece, multiple components, or any combination thereof, and so forth. Example components for a communication device 102 are described herein below with particular reference to at least FIG. 5. By way of example but not limitation, signal receiver 302 may comprise an antenna, a wired connector, a signal downconverter, a baseband processor, a signal processing module (e.g., to account for signal manipulation for a communication protocol, to decrypt, to extract data, a combination thereof, etc.), a processor, hardware, software, firmware, logic, circuitry, any combination thereof, and so forth. By way of example but not limitation, response handler 304 may comprise an intimacy-related module, hardware, software, firmware, logic, circuitry, any combination thereof, and so forth.

FIG. 4A is schematic diagram 400A of a communication device that may be participating in a communication using an example response handler having a conversion effectuator in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4A, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 400A may include a local communication device 102L, a local user 104L, a second communication modality 106-2, or one or more signals 202. More specifically, a local communication device 102L of schematic diagram 400A may include at least one intimacy setting 204, a signal receiver 302, or a response handler 304, which may include a conversion effectuator 402.

For certain example embodiments, a conversion effectuator 402 may cause a conversion of a correspondence with one communication modality to a correspondence with another communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a conversion effectuator 402 may cause a conversion (e.g., of signals, such as one or more signals 202) from a correspondence with a first communication modality 106-1 to a correspondence with a second communication modality 106-2, may cause a conversion (e.g., of signals derived from user input of local user 104L) from a correspondence with a second communication modality 106-2 to a correspondence with a first communication modality 106-1, some combination thereof, and so forth. Example implementations with respect to a conversion effectuator 402 are described herein below with particular reference to at least FIGS. 4B and 4C. Additional or alternative implementations are described herein below with respect to at least FIGS. 6A-6K.

FIG. 4B is schematic diagram 400B of a communication device that may be participating in a communication using an example conversion effectuator having a converter in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4B, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 400B may include a local communication device 102L that includes at least one intimacy setting 204, a signal receiver 302, or a response handler 304. More specifically, a local communication device 102L of schematic diagram 400B may include a response handler 304 having a conversion effectuator 402, which may include a converter 404.

For certain example embodiments, a converter 404 may perform a conversion of a correspondence with one communication modality to a correspondence with another communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a converter 404 may perform a conversion (e.g., of signals) from a correspondence with a first communication modality 106-1 to a correspondence with a second communication modality 106-2, may perform a conversion (e.g., of signals) from a correspondence with a second communication modality 106-2 to a correspondence with a first communication modality 106-1, some combination thereof, and so forth. Additional or alternative implementations are described herein.

FIG. 4C is schematic diagram 400C of a communication device that may be participating in a communication using an example conversion effectuator having a conversion requester in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4C, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 400C may include a local communication device 102L that includes at least one intimacy setting 204, a signal receiver 302, or a response handler 304. More specifically, a local communication device 102L of schematic diagram 400C may include a response handler 304 having a conversion effectuator 402, which may include a conversion requester 406. Furthermore, by way of example but not limitation, schematic diagram 400C may include a conversion node 408, which may include a converter 410.

For certain example embodiments, a conversion effectuator 402 may cause a conversion of a correspondence with one communication modality to a correspondence with another communication modality based, at least partly, on one or more interactions with a conversion node 408 using a conversion requester 406. For certain example implementations, a conversion node may be external to local communication device 102L. A conversion node 408 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, a telecommunications node (e.g., a switch, a router, a gateway, a combination thereof, etc.), an Internet node (e.g., a switch, a router, a server, a server blade, a virtual server machine, a combination thereof, etc.), a local area network (LAN) node, a computer, some combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, conversion requester 406 may transmit one or more signals (e.g., one or more signals 202 or a derivative thereof) corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 to conversion node 408. Using converter 410, conversion node 408 may perform a conversion (e.g., of signals) from a correspondence with a first communication modality 106-1 to a correspondence with a second communication modality 106-2. Conversion node 408 may transmit one or more signals corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 to conversion effectuator 402 (e.g., to conversion requester 406) of local communication device 102L. Additionally or alternatively, conversion requester 406 may transmit one or more signals corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 to conversion node 408. Using converter 410, conversion node 408 may perform a conversion (e.g., of signals) from a correspondence with a second communication modality 106-2 to a correspondence with a first communication modality 106-1. Conversion node 408 may transmit one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 to conversion effectuator 402 (e.g., to conversion requester 406) of local communication device 102L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to examples as described herein.

FIGS. 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G depict different example sequence diagrams 400D, 400E, 400F, and 400G, respectively, for example multi-modality communications. As shown, by way of example but not limitation, each sequence diagram may include a remote communication device 102R or a local communication device 102L, as well as multiple actions. Although actions of sequence diagrams 400D, 400E, 400F, and 400G are shown or described in a particular sequence, it should be understood that methods or processes may be performed in alternative manners without departing from claimed subject matter, including, but not limited to, with a different sequence or number of actions, with a different relationship between or among actions, with a different communication device (or node) performing action(s). Also, at least some actions of sequence diagrams 400D, 400E, 400F, and 400G may be performed so as to be fully or partially overlapping with other action(s) in a temporal sense, in a communication sense (e.g., over one or more channels), in a processing sense (e.g., using multiple cores, multitasking, a combination thereof, etc.), some combination thereof, and so forth. By way of example only, a given communication may comprise a fully or partially duplex communication, thereby enabling independent or overlapping transmissions or receptions.

As depicted, by way of example but not limitation, each example multi-modality communication includes a communication that may be initiated by a remote communication device 102R. However, multi-modality communications may alternatively or additionally include communications that may be initiated by a local communication device 102L. As illustrated, by way of example but not limitation, each example multi-modality communication may involve two communication modalities including voice interaction and text interaction. However, multi-modality communications may alternatively or additionally involve two or more communication modalities that include voice interaction, text interaction, video interaction, any combination thereof, and so forth. As shown, by way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L, in conjunction with an indication from a local user 104L, may determine that a communication is to be a multi-modality communication at or around when a communication is initiated. However, a remote communication device 102R may additionally or alternatively determine that a communication is to be a multi-modality communication. Furthermore, a communication may be migrated to a multi-modality communication at virtually any time during a communication. Moreover, a communication device may additionally or alternatively initiate a communication as a multi-modality communication.

For certain example embodiments, sequence diagrams 400D, 400E, 400F, and 400G may include one or more transmissions or receptions. Transmissions or receptions may be made, by way of example but not limitation, from or to a remote communication device 102R or from or to a local communication device 102L. A given transmission or reception may be made via any one or more channels 108 (e.g., of FIG. 1). Examples of channels may include, but are not limited to, a voice connection channel, a voice data channel, a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) channel, a packet data channel, a signaling channel, a channel over the Internet, a cellular-text-messaging channel, any combination thereof, and so forth. Additionally or alternatively, although two communication devices are shown as participating in a given communication, more than two communication devices or more than two users may participate in a given communication.

FIG. 4D is a sequence diagram 400D of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a local communication device. As shown in FIG. 4D, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of actions 412 a-412 k may be performed for a communication. For an example sequence diagram 400D, a local communication device 102L may cause two conversions to be performed.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 a, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive a notification of an incoming communication that corresponds to voice. By way of example but not limitation, a notification may comprise a text message, a ringing signal, a communication inquiry, a communication notice, any combination thereof, and so forth. At action 412 b, local communication device 102L may determine that the communication may continue in a manner that is at least partially corresponding to text. For certain example implementations, local communication device 102L may make a determination based, at least partly, on an existing intimacy setting (e.g., on a current default intimacy setting), on a contemporaneous intimacy setting indication provided by local user 104L (e.g., by a local user without prompting, by a local user in response to options presented by a local communication device in conjunction with presentation of a call notification to the local user, some combination thereof, etc.), any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 c, a local communication device 102L may transmit or a remote communication device 102R may receive a message indicating that a communication is accepted if it may correspond at least partially to text. At action 412 d, a remote communication device 102R may provide a remote user 104R with an opportunity to switch to text (e.g., to establish a single-modality textual communication), with an opportunity to continue a communication with remote user interactivity including voice (e.g., to establish a dual-modality voice and textual communication), with an opportunity to propose a different one or more interactivity-types of communication(s), any combination thereof, and so forth. For certain examples as described herein, with respect to action 412 d, it is given that a remote user 104R elects to continue a communication as a multi-modality communication with voice interaction for remote user 104R and (at least partial) textual interaction for local user 104L.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 e, a remote communication device 102R may accept user voice input. For an example implementation, a remote communication device 102R may enable voice interaction with a remote user 104R by accepting voice input via at least one user input interface 516 b (e.g., of FIG. 5), such as at least one microphone. At action 412 f, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive voice data.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 g, a local communication device 102L may cause a conversion of voice data (e.g., as received from a remote communication device 102R) to text data. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may cause a conversion from voice data to text data using a converter 404 (e.g., of FIG. 4B), using a conversion requester 406 (e.g., of FIG. 4C) (e.g., that communicates with a conversion node 408 having a converter 410), any combination thereof, and so forth. At action 412 h, a local communication device 102L may present text output (e.g., as converted as a result of action 412 g) to a local user 104L. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may display text to a local user 104L via at least one user output interface 516 a (e.g., of FIG. 5), such as at least one display screen. At action 412 i, a local communication device 102L may accept user text input. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may accept text input from a local user 104L via at least one user input interface 516 a, such as a physical or virtual keyboard. A user input interface 516 a for accepting text input may alternatively or additionally comprise a text message application, a text message module of an operating system, a general text entry application, a general text entry module of an operation system, a specialized text entry application, a specialized text entry module of operating system, any combination thereof, and so forth. A specialized text entry application or operating system module may, by way of example but not limitation, be linked to a voice capability (e.g., a calling feature) or video capability or be designed at least partially to implement multi-modality communications in accordance with certain embodiments that are described herein.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 j, a local communication device 102L may cause text data of accepted text to be converted to voice data. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may cause a conversion from text to voice using a converter 404 (e.g., of FIG. 4B), using a conversion requester 406 (e.g., of FIG. 4C), any combination thereof, and so forth. At action 412 k, a local communication device 102L may transmit or a remote communication device 102R may receive converted voice data. A remote communication device 102R may present the converted voice data (e.g., play the voice data over one or more speakers) in accordance with a voice communication modality of interaction by remote user 104R at remote communication device 102R.

FIG. 4E is a sequence diagram 400E of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a remote communication device. As shown in FIG. 4E, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of actions 412 a-412 e or 414 a-414 g may be performed for a communication. For an example sequence diagram 400E, a remote communication device 102R may cause two conversions to be performed. Actions 412 a-412 e of sequence diagram 400E may be at least similar or analogous to actions 412 a-412 e, respectively, of sequence diagram 400D.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 e, a remote communication device 102R may accept user voice input. For an example implementation, a remote communication device 102R may enable voice interaction with a remote user 104R by accepting voice input via at least one user input interface 516 a (e.g., of FIG. 5), such as at least one microphone. At action 414 a, a remote communication device 102R may cause a conversion of voice data (e.g., as accepted from a remote user 104R) to text data. For an example implementation, a remote communication device 102R may cause a conversion using a converter 404 (e.g., of FIG. 4B), using a conversion requester 406 (e.g., of FIG. 4C), any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, at action 414 b, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive converted text data. At action 414 c, a local communication device 102L may present text output to a local user 104L. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may display converted text to a local user 104L via at least one user output interface 516 b (e.g., of FIG. 5), such as at least one display screen, wherein the converted text was caused to be converted from voice data by a remote communication device 102R. A user output interface 516 b for presenting text output may alternatively or additionally comprise a text message application, a text message module of an operating system, a general text output application, a general text output module of an operation system, a specialized text output application, a specialized text output module of operating system, any combination thereof, and so forth. A specialized text output application or operating system module may, by way of example but not limitation, be linked to a voice capability (e.g., a calling feature) or video capability or be designed at least partially to implement multi-modality communications in accordance with certain embodiments that are described herein. A user input interface 516 a for accepting text input may be separate from or fully or partially combined with a user output interface 516 b for presenting text output. At action 414 d, a local communication device 102L may accept user text input. At action 414 e, a local communication device 102L may transmit or a remote communication device 102R may receive text data.

For certain example embodiments, at action 414 f, a remote communication device 102R may cause received text data to be converted to voice data. For an example implementation, a remote communication device 102R may cause a conversion from text to voice using a converter 404 (e.g., of FIG. 4B), using a conversion requester 406 (e.g., of FIG. 4C), any combination thereof, and so forth. At action 414 g, a remote communication device 102R may present voice data (e.g., as converted from received text data as a result of action 414 f) to a remote user 104R. For an example implementation, a remote communication device 102R may present voice data as converted from text data to a remote user 104R via at least one user output interface 516 b (e.g., of FIG. 5), such as at least one speaker.

For certain example implementations, e.g.—as described with reference to sequence diagram 400E, text data is transmitted between remote communication device 102R and local communication device 102L. Text data may consume less bandwidth than voice data (or less than video data). Generally, transmission of data corresponding to one type of communication modality may consume less bandwidth than transmission of data corresponding to another type of communication modality. Accordingly, a determination or selection of a location or a communication device at which to perform a conversion of data corresponding to one communication modality to data corresponding to another communication modality may be based, at least in part, on a bandwidth consumed by data of each communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a location or communication device for conversion may be determined or selected such that relatively lower bandwidth data is transmitted.

FIG. 4F is a sequence diagram 400F of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a local communication device and at a remote communication device. As shown in FIG. 4F, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of actions 412 a-412 e, 414 a-414 d, or 416 a-416 f may be performed for a communication. For an example sequence diagram 400F, a remote communication device 102R may cause a conversion to be performed, and a local communication device 102L may cause a conversion to be performed. Action 412 e (plus actions 412 a-412 d, which are not shown in FIG. 4F for the sake of clarity) of sequence diagram 400E and actions 414 a-414 d may be at least similar or analogous to actions 412 e (plus 412 a-412 d) of sequence diagram 400D and actions 414 a-414 d of sequence diagram 400E, respectively.

For certain example embodiments, at action 414 a, a remote communication device 102R may cause a conversion of voice data (e.g., as accepted from a remote user 104R at action 412 e) to text data. At action 414 b, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive converted text data. At action 414 c, a local communication device 102L may present text data as text output to a local user 104L, which text data may comprise converted text data that was caused to be converted from voice data by another communication device, such as a remote communication device 102R. At action 414 d, a local communication device 102L may accept user text input. At action 416 a, a local communication device 102L may cause text data of accepted text to be converted to voice data. At action 416 b, a local communication device 102L may transmit or a remote communication device 102R may receive converted voice data.

For certain example embodiments, at action 416 c, a remote communication device 102R may present voice data as voice output to a remote user 104R, which voice data may comprise converted voice data that was caused to be converted by another communication device, such as local communication device 102L. At action 416 d, a remote communication device 102R may accept user voice input. At action 416 e, a remote communication device 102R may cause a conversion of voice data (e.g., as accepted from a remote user 104R) to text data. At action 416 f, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive converted text data.

FIG. 4G is a sequence diagram 400G of an example multi-modality communication in which conversion occurs at a local communication device and in which a multi-modality input/output interaction occurs at the local communication device. As shown in FIG. 4G, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of actions 412 a or 418 a-418 k may be performed for a communication. For an example sequence diagram 400G, a local communication device 102L may cause a conversion to be performed. Action 412 a of sequence diagram 400G may be at least similar or analogous to action 412 a of sequence diagram 400D.

For certain example embodiments, at action 412 a, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive a notification of an incoming communication that corresponds to voice. At action 418 a, local communication device 102L may determine that the communication may continue as at least partially corresponding to text. For certain example implementations, local communication device 102L may make a determination based, at least partly, on an existing intimacy setting (e.g., a current default intimacy setting), on a contemporaneous intimacy setting indication provided by local user 104L (e.g., by a local user without prompting, by a local user in response to options presented by a local communication device in conjunction with presentation of a call notification to the local user, some combination thereof, etc.), any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, at least one user may engage in a multi-modality communication in which a user interacts with a communication device using two (or more) different communication modalities. For certain example implementations, a user may select to interact with a communication device via voice for input and via text for output. For instance, a user may speak to provide user voice input, but a user may read to acquire user text output for a single communication. As shown for an example of sequence diagram 400G, a user has instead selected for user output interaction to comprise voice and for user input interaction to comprise text. This may occur, for instance, if a user having a wireless or wired headset is located in an environment in which quiet is expected, such as a library or “quiet car” of a train. For a given communication, a user may be presented voice data output (e.g., may hear voice sounds) from another participant of the given communication, but may provide text input that is ultimately sent to the other participant (e.g., before or after conversion, if any, from text data to voice data).

For certain example embodiments, at action 418 b, a local communication device 102L may transmit or a remote communication device 102R may receive a message indicating that a communication is accepted if it may correspond at least partially to text. For an example implementation, a message may indicate that a local user 104L intends to continue a communication by interacting with local communication device 102L via voice for user output and via text for user input. At action 418 c, a remote communication device 102R may provide a remote user 104R with an opportunity to switch to full or partial text (e.g., to request to establish a single-modality textual communication, to establish that remote user 104R is willing to receive text output thereby obviating a conversion), with an opportunity to continue a communication with remote user interactivity including voice (e.g., to accept a multi-modality communication in which remote user 104R provides user input interaction via voice and accepts user output interaction via converted voice data), with an opportunity to propose a different one or more interactivity-types of communication(s), any combination thereof, and so forth. For certain examples described herein with respect to action 418 c, it is given that a remote user 104R elects to continue a communication as a multi-modality communication with (i) voice input and voice output interaction for remote user 104R and (ii) textual input and voice output interaction for local user 104L.

For certain example embodiments, at action 418 d, a remote communication device 102R may accept user voice input. At action 418 e, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive voice data. At action 418 f, a local communication device 102L may present voice data to a local user 104L. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may present voice data (e.g., without conversion) to a local user 104L via at least one user output interface 516 b (e.g., of FIG. 5), such as at least one speaker, including but not limited to a speaker of a headset. At action 418 g, a local communication device 102L may accept user text input. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may accept text input from a local user 104L via at least one user input interface 516 a, such as a physical or virtual keyboard. At action 418 h, a local communication device 102L may cause text data of accepted text to be converted to voice data.

For certain example embodiments, at action 418 i, a local communication device 102L may transmit or a remote communication device 102R may receive converted voice data. At action 418 j, a remote communication device 102R may present voice data to a remote user 104R, which voice data may comprise converted voice data that was caused to be converted by another communication device, such as local communication device 102L. Additionally or alternatively, local communication device 102L may transmit (unconverted) text data to remote communication device 102R, and remote communication device 102R may cause text data to be converted to voice data prior to its presentation to remote user 104R. At action 418 k, a remote communication device 102R may accept user voice input. At action 418 i, a remote communication device 102R may transmit or a local communication device 102L may receive voice data.

For certain example embodiments, a communication may be initiated (e.g., by a remote communication device 102R or a local communication device 102L or another communication device) that is to be a multi-modality communication from a perspective of an initiating user or device alone. By way of example but not limitation, a remote user 104R of a remote communication device 102R may initiate a communication in which interaction by remote user 104R is to comprise text output interaction and voice input interaction (e.g., if a remote user 104R is located in a noisy environment and possesses noise canceling microphone(s) but no noise canceling speaker). By way of example but not limitation, a remote user 104R of a remote communication device 102R may instead initiate a communication in which interaction by remote user 104R is to comprise voice output interaction and text input interaction (e.g., remote user 104R is to receive voice output from a remote communication device 102R via at least one speaker but is to provide text input for a remote communication device 102R via at least one keyboard). For certain example implementations, a remote user 104R may initiate a voice communication and then subsequently send a message to migrate the voice communication to a multi-modality communication in which text is used for at least one of user input interaction or user output interaction for at least interaction by remote user 104R with remote communication device 102R. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular example embodiments, implementations, etc. that are described herein or illustrated in the accompanying drawings (e.g., including but not limited to FIGS. 4D-4G).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram 500 of an example communication device including one or more example components in accordance with certain example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, a communication device 102 may include one or more components such as: at least one processor 502, one or more media 504, logic 506, circuitry 508, at least one communication interface 510, at least one interconnect 512, at least one power source 514, or at least one user interface 516, any combination thereof, and so forth. Furthermore, as shown in schematic diagram 500, one or more media may comprise one or more instructions 518, one or more settings 520, some combination thereof, and so forth; communication interface 510 may comprise at least one wireless communication interface 510 a, at least one wired communication interface 510 b, some combination thereof, and so forth; or user interface 516 may comprise at least one user input interface 516 a, at least one user output interface 516 b, some combination thereof, and so forth. However, a communication device 102 may alternatively include more, fewer, or different components from those that are illustrated without deviating from claimed subject matter.

For certain example embodiments, a communication device 102 may include or comprise at least one electronic device. Communication device 102 may comprise, for example, a computing platform or any electronic device having at least one processor or memory. Processor 502 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, any one or more of a general-purpose processor, a specific-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing unit, a combination thereof, and so forth. A processing unit may be implemented, for example, with one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), DSPs, digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors generally, processing cores, discrete/fixed logic circuitry, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, a combination thereof, and so forth. Media 504 may bear, store, contain, provide access to, a combination thereof, etc. instructions 518, which may be executable by processor 502. Instructions 518 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, a program, a module, an application or app (e.g., that is native, that runs in a browser, that runs within a virtual machine, a combination thereof, etc.), an operating system, etc. or portion thereof; operational data structures; processor-executable instructions; code; or any combination thereof; and so forth. Media 504 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, processor-accessible or non-transitory media that is capable of bearing instructions, settings, a combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, execution of instructions 518 by one or more processors 502 may transform communication device 102 into a special-purpose computing device, apparatus, platform, or any combination thereof, etc. Instructions 518 may correspond to, for example, instructions that are capable of realizing at least a portion of one or more flow diagrams methods, processes, operations, functionality, technology, or mechanisms, etc. that are described herein or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Settings 520 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, one or more indicators that may be established by a user or other entity, one or more indicators that may determine at least partly how a communication device 102 is to operate or respond to situations, one or more indicators or other values that may be used to realize flow diagrams, methods, processes, operations, functionality, technology, or mechanisms, etc. that are described herein or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For certain example embodiments, logic 506 may comprise hardware, software, firmware, discrete/fixed logic circuitry, any combination thereof, etc. that is capable of performing or facilitating performance of methods, processes, operations, functionality, technology, or mechanisms, etc. that are described herein or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Circuitry 508 may comprise hardware, software, firmware, discrete/fixed logic circuitry, any combination thereof, etc. that is capable of performing or facilitating performance of methods, processes, operations, functionality, technology, or mechanisms, etc. that are described herein or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein circuitry 508 comprises at least one physical or hardware component or aspect.

For certain example embodiments, one or more communication interfaces 510 may provide one or more interfaces between communication device 102 and another device or a person/operator. With respect to a person/operator, a communication interface 510 may include, by way of example but not limitation, a screen, a speaker, a keyboard or keys, or other person-device input/output features. A communication interface 510 may also or alternatively include, by way of example but not limitation, a transceiver (e.g., transmitter or receiver), a radio, an antenna, a wired interface connector or other similar apparatus (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) connector, a proprietary connector, a Thunderbolt® or Light Peak® connector, a combination thereof, etc.), a physical or logical network adapter or port, or any combination thereof, etc. to communicate wireless signals or wired signals via one or more wireless communication links or wired communication links, respectively. Communications with at least one communication interface 510 may enable transmitting, receiving, or initiating of transmissions, just to name a few examples.

For certain example embodiments, at least one interconnect 512 may enable signal communication between or among components of communication device 102. Interconnect 512 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, one or more buses, channels, switching fabrics, or combinations thereof, and so forth. Although not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 5, one or more components of communication device 102 may be coupled to interconnect 512 via a discrete or integrated interface. By way of example only, one or more interfaces may couple a communication interface 510 or a processor 502 to at least one interconnect 512. At least one power source 514 may provide power to components of communication device 102. Power source 514 may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, a battery, a power connector, a solar power source or charger, a mechanical power source or charger, a fuel source, any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, a user interface 516 may enable one or more users to interact with communication device 102. Interactions between a user and device may relate, by way of example but not limitation, to touch/tactile/feeling/haptic sensory (e.g., a user may shake or move a device which may be detected by a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass, a combination thereof, etc; a user may press a button, slide a switch, rotate a knob, etc.; a user may touch a touch-sensitive screen; a device may vibrate; some combination thereof; etc.), to sound/hearing/speech sensory (e.g., a user may speak into a microphone, a device may generate sounds via a speaker, some combination thereof, etc.), to sights/vision sensory (e.g., a device may activate one or more lights, modify a display screen, a combination thereof, etc.), any combination thereof, and so forth.

For certain example embodiments, a user interface 516 may comprise a user interface input 516 a, a user output interface 516 b, a combination thereof, and so forth. A user input interface 516 a may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, a microphone, a button, a switch, a dial, a knob, a wheel, a trackball, a key, a keypad, a keyboard, a touch-sensitive screen, a touch-sensitive surface, a camera, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass, any combination thereof, and so forth. A user output interface 516 b may comprise, by way of example but not limitation, a speaker, a screen (e.g., with or without touch-sensitivity), a vibrating haptic feature, any combination thereof, and so forth. Certain user interfaces 516 may enable both user input and user output. For example, a touch-sensitive screen may be capable of providing user output and accepting user input. Additionally or alternatively, a user interface component (e.g., that may be integrated with or separate from a communication device 102), such as a headset that has a microphone and a speaker, may enable both user input and user output.

It should be understood that for certain example implementations components illustrated separately in FIG. 5 are not necessarily separate or mutually exclusive. For example, a given component may provide multiple functionalities. By way of example only, a single component such as a USB connector may function as a wired communication interface 510 b and a power source 514. Additionally or alternatively, a single component such as a display screen may function as a communication interface 510 with a user, as a user input interface 516 a, or as a user output interface 516 b. Additionally or alternatively, one or more instructions 518 may function to realize at least one setting 520.

It should also be understood that for certain example implementations components illustrated in schematic diagram 500 or described herein may not be integral or integrated with a communication device 102. For example, a component may be removably connected to a communication device 102, a component may be wirelessly coupled to a communication device 102, any combination thereof, and so forth. By way of example only, instructions 518 may be stored on a removable card having at least one medium 504. Additionally or alternatively, a user interface 516 (e.g., a wired or wireless headset, a screen, a video camera, a keyboard, a combination thereof, etc.) may be coupled to communication device 102 wirelessly or by wire. For instance, a user may provide user input or accept user output corresponding to a voice communication modality to or from, respectively, a communication device 102 via a wireless (e.g., a Bluetooth®) headset.

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram 600A illustrating an example method for a communication device that may be participating in a communication involving two communication modalities in accordance with at least one example intimacy setting, in accordance with certain example embodiments. As illustrated, flow diagram 600A may include any of operations 602-604. Although operations 602-604 are shown or described in a particular order, it should be understood that methods may be performed in alternative manners without departing from claimed subject matter, including, but not limited to, with a different order or number of operations or with a different relationship between or among operations. Also, at least some operations of flow diagram 600A may be performed so as to be fully or partially overlapping with other operation(s).

For certain example embodiments, a method for handling a communication may be at least partially implemented using hardware and may comprise an operation 602 or an operation 604. An operation 602 may be directed at least partially to receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more signals 202 corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1. An operation 604 may be directed at least partially to responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a second communication modality 106-2 in accordance with at least one intimacy setting 204. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIGS. 6B-6K depict example alternatives for a flow diagram of FIG. 6A in accordance with certain example embodiments. As illustrated, flow diagrams of FIGS. 6B-6K may include any of the illustrated or described operations. Although operations are shown or described in a particular order, it should be understood that methods may be performed in alternative manners without departing from claimed subject matter, including, but not limited to, with a different order or number of operations or with a different relationship between or among operations. Also, at least some operations of flow diagrams of FIGS. 6B-6K may be performed so as to be fully or partially overlapping with other operation(s).

FIG. 6B illustrates example operations 606, 608, and 610. For certain example embodiments, an operation 606 may be directed at least partially to wherein the receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality comprises receiving the one or more signals from a remote device that initiated the communication, the one or more signals being associated with the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more signals 202 from a remote communication device 102R that initiated the communication, with the one or more signals 202 being associated with the communication. For an example implementation, a remote user 104R using a remote communication device 102R may initiate a voice or text communication with a local user 104L using a local communication device 102L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 608 may be directed at least partially to wherein the receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality comprises receiving the one or more signals at a local device that initiated the communication, the one or more signals being associated with the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more signals 202 in which the local communication device 102L initiated the communication, with the one or more signals 202 being associated with the communication. For an example implementation, a local user 104L using a local communication device 102L may initiate a voice or text communication with a remote user 104R using a remote communication device 102R. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 610 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises ascertaining the at least one intimacy setting from a user selection that was stored prior to the receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may ascertain at least one intimacy setting 204 from a user selection that was stored prior to the receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality. For an example implementation, prior to a communication being initiated or prior to receipt of one or more signals 202, a user may interact with a local communication device 102L via a user input interface 516 a to select at least one intimacy setting 204, and local communication device 102L may store a selected communication modality 106 as an at least one intimacy setting 204. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6C illustrates example operations 612, 614, and 616. For certain example embodiments, an operation 612 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises presenting a capability to a local user to participate in the communication via the second communication modality and thereby establish the at least one intimacy setting after the receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may present a capability to a local user 104L to participate in a communication via a second communication modality 106-2 and thereby establish at least one intimacy setting 204 after the receiving one or more signals corresponding to a first communication modality. For an example implementation, as a communication is initiated or during a communication, a local communication device 102L may present to a local user 104L via a user output interface 516 b an opportunity to participate in the communication via a second communication modality 106-2. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 614 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises detecting that the at least one intimacy setting indicates that a local user is willing to expose textual communications in response to voice communications. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may detect that at least one intimacy setting 124 indicates that a local user 104L is willing to expose textual communications in response to voice communications. For example, a local communication device 102L may detect based at least partially on at least one intimacy setting 204 that an incoming voice call is to be responded to using textual input accepted from a local user 104L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 616 may be directed at least partially to a situation in which at least one intimacy setting is associated with a local device; and wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises detecting that the at least one intimacy setting indicates that a given communication that corresponds to the first communication modality at least partly while external to the local device is to be interacted with at least partly via the second communication modality at the local device. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may detect that at least one intimacy setting 204 indicates that a given communication that corresponds to a first communication modality 106-1 at least partly while external to local communication device 102L is to be interacted with at least partly via a second communication modality 106-2 at local communication device 102L. For an example implementation, for a given communication, a local user 104L may interact with a local communication device 102L via a second communication modality 106-2 although a remote user 104R is interacting with a remote communication device 102R that is participating in the given communication via a first communication modality 106-1. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6D illustrates example operations 618, 620, 626, and 632. For certain example embodiments, a communication may be conducted wherein the first communication modality comprises voice communication, and the second communication modality comprises textual communication. By way of example but not limitation, a first communication modality 106-1 associated with a remote user 104R may comprise voice communication, and a second communication modality 106-2 associated with a local user 104L may comprise textual communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 618 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises maintaining a voice connection associated with the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may maintain a voice connection that is associated with one or more signals 202 corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1. For an example implementation, a voice connection (e.g., a voice call) may be maintained between a local communication device 102L and a remote communication device 102R that are conducting a communication in which a remote user 104R is interacting with remote communication device 102R via a first communication modality 106-1 and a local user 104L is interacting with local communication device 102L via a second communication modality 106-2. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, a communication may be conducted wherein the first communication modality and the second communication modality comprise different communication modalities selected from a group of communication modalities comprising: voice communication, textual communication, or video communication. By way of example but not limitation, a communication may be conducted by a local communication device 102L and a remote communication device 102R wherein a first communication modality 106-1 being used by a remote user 104R and a second communication modality 106-2 being used by a local user 104L comprise different communication modalities 106 selected from a group of communication modalities comprising: voice communication, textual communication, or video communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 620 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises transmitting one or more notification signals to indicate that the communication may be effectuated as a mixed-modality communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may transmit one or more notification signals to indicate that a communication may be effectuated as a mixed-modality communication. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may transmit one or more signals to remote communication device 102R, an intermediate node along channel 108, a combination thereof, etc. providing notification that a communication may be effectuated using at least two communication modalities 106 (e.g., so that remote communication device 102R may notify remote user 104R, may provide remote user 104R with one or more options (e.g., accepting a mixed-modality communication, refusing a mixed-modality communication, canceling the communication, switching to a different communication modality, a combination thereof, etc.), may activate appropriate functionality, some combination thereof, and so forth). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6E illustrates example operations 622 and 624, in conjunction with operation 620. For certain example embodiments, an operation 622 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting further comprises (e.g., in addition to operation 620) receiving one or more confirmation signals that indicate that the communication is to be effectuated as a mixed-modality communication corresponding to the first communication modality and to the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more confirmation signals that indicate that a communication between local communication device 102L and remote communication device 102R is to be effectuated as a mixed-modality communication corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 and to a second communication modality 106-2. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more signals via a channel 108 that confirm that a remote user 104R has accepted a mixed-modality communication or that confirm that an intermediate node has established functionality to support a mixed-modality communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 624 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting further comprises (e.g., in addition to operation 620) receiving one or more additional signals that indicate that the communication is to be migrated to a single-modality communication corresponding to the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more additional signals that indicate that a communication is to be migrated to a single-modality communication corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may receive one or more signals via a channel 108 that indicate that a remote user 104R has elected to migrate a communication to a single-modality communication corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 as selected by a local user 104L or indicated by at least one intimacy setting 204 or that indicate that an intermediate node has migrated or is prepared to migrate a communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 626 (e.g., of FIG. 6D) may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises causing at least a portion of the communication to be converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may cause at least a portion of a communication to be converted from corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 to corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 (e.g., using a conversion effectuator 402 (e.g., of FIG. 4A)). For an example implementation, a conversion may be caused to be effectuated with respect to one or more signals arriving from remote communication device 102R. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6F illustrates example operations 628, 630 a, and 630 b; and 634, 636 a, and 636 b, in conjunction with operations 626 and 632, respectively. For certain example embodiments, an operation 628 may be directed at least partially to wherein the causing at least a portion of the communication to be converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality (e.g., of operation 626) comprises converting at least the portion of the communication from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may convert at least a portion of a communication from corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 to corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 (e.g., using a converter 404 (e.g., of FIG. 4B)). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 630 a or 630 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the causing at least a portion of the communication to be converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality (e.g., of operation 626) comprises initiating transmission of at least the portion of the communication corresponding to the first communication modality to a conversion node or receiving at least the portion of the communication corresponding to the second communication modality from the conversion node, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may initiate transmission of at least a portion of a communication corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 to a conversion node 408 and may receive at least the portion of the communication corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 from conversion node 408 (e.g., using a conversion requestor 406 (e.g., of FIG. 4C)). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 632 (e.g., of FIG. 6D) may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises causing at least a portion of the communication to be converted from corresponding to the second communication modality to corresponding to the first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may cause at least a portion of a communication to be converted from corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 to corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 (e.g., using a conversion effectuator 402 (e.g., of FIG. 4A)). For an example implementation, a conversion may be caused to be effectuated with respect to one or more signals generated by a user input interface 516 a prior to their being transmitted to a remote communication device 102R. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 634 (e.g., of FIG. 6F) may be directed at least partially to wherein the causing at least a portion of the communication to be converted from corresponding to the second communication modality to corresponding to the first communication modality (e.g., of operation 632) comprises converting at least the portion of the communication from corresponding to the second communication modality to corresponding to the first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may convert at least a portion of a communication from corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 to corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 (e.g., using a converter 404 (e.g., of FIG. 4B)). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 636 a or 636 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the causing at least a portion of the communication to be converted from corresponding to the second communication modality to corresponding to the first communication modality (e.g., of operation 632) comprises initiating transmission of at least the portion of the communication corresponding to the second communication modality to a conversion node or receiving at least the portion of the communication corresponding to the first communication modality from the conversion node, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may initiate transmission of at least a portion of a communication corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 to a conversion node 408 and may receive at least the portion of the communication corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 from conversion node 408 (e.g., using a conversion requester 406 (e.g., of FIG. 4C)). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6G illustrates example operations 638 a, 638 b, and 640. For certain example embodiments, an operation 638 a or 638 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises obtaining a conversion of a portion of the communication that is received from a remote device from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality or obtaining a conversion of a portion of the communication that is received from a local user from corresponding to the second communication modality to corresponding to the first communication modality, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may obtain a conversion of a portion of a communication that is received from a remote communication device 102R from corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 to corresponding to a second communication modality 106-2 and may obtain a conversion of a portion of the communication that is received from a local user 104L from corresponding to second communication modality 106-2 to corresponding to first communication modality 106-1. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may obtain conversions of communication portion(s) automatically (e.g., from a conversion node 408), responsive to an initial request for conversion services (e.g., from a conversion node 408 due at least in part to conversion requester 406), responsive to repeated or on-demand requests for conversion services (e.g., from a conversion node 408 due at least in part to conversion requester 406) as communication portions are received or are generated, locally (e.g., from a converter 404), any combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 640 may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on the user interaction via the second communication modality in at least substantially real-time. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a second communication modality 106-2 in at least substantially real-time. For an example implementation, a response may be considered to be made in substantially real-time if a related conversational flow may be continued without introducing significant person-perceptible delay(s), at least not in addition to those introduced by e.g. one participant entering text if another participant is interacting with voice. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6H illustrates example operations 642 a, 642 b, and 644. For certain example embodiments, an operation 642 a or 642 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via the first communication modality during at least part of the communication or responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on the user interaction via the second communication modality during at least part of the communication, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to a first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a first communication modality 106-1 during at least part of a communication and may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a second communication modality 106-2 during at least part of the communication. For an example implementation, a local user 104L may interact with a local communication device 102L via a first communication modality 106-1 (e.g., voice) at one point in a communication and may interact with local communication device 102L via a second communication modality 106-2 (e.g., text) at another point in the communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 644 may be directed at least partially to a situation wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on the user interaction via the second communication modality during at least part of the communication is performed in response to a change of the at least one intimacy setting to select the second communication modality during the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may respond to one or more signals 202 corresponding to first communication modality 106-1 based at least partly on local user 104L interaction via a second communication modality 106-2 during at least part of a communication in response to a change of at least one intimacy setting 204 to select second communication modality 106-2 during the communication. For an example implementation, a local user 104L may be empowered to switch form interacting with a local communication device 102L via a first communication modality 106-1 to interacting via a second communication modality 106-2 during a communication by adjusting at least one intimacy setting 204 (e.g., via a user input interface 516 a) during the communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6I illustrates example operations 646 a, 646 b, 648 a, and 648 b. For certain example embodiments, an operation 646 a or 646 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises accepting user input interaction that corresponds to the first communication modality or providing user output interaction that corresponds to the second communication modality, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept local user 104L input interaction that corresponds to a first communication modality 106-1 (e.g., which may also be being used by a remote user 104R) and may provide local user 104L output interaction that corresponds to a second communication modality 106-2 (e.g., which may not also be being used by a remote user 104R). For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may accept e.g. voice input from a local user 104L and may provide e.g. text output to a local user 104L for a given communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 648 a or 648 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises accepting user input interaction that corresponds to the second communication modality or providing user output interaction that corresponds to the first communication modality, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept local user 104L input interaction that corresponds to a second communication modality 106-2 (e.g., which may not also be being used by a remote user 104R) and may provide local user 104L output interaction that corresponds to a first communication modality 106-1 (e.g., which may also be being used by a remote user 104R). For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may accept e.g. text input from a local user 104L and may provide e.g. voice output to a local user 104L for a given communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, a situation may exist in which the at least one intimacy setting represents at least one degree of communicative exposure that a local user may establish for a local device. By way of example but not limitation, at least one intimacy setting 204 may represent at least one degree of communicative exposure that a local user 104L may establish for a local communication device 102L. For an example implementation, at least one intimacy setting 204 may represent if a local user 104L wishes to expose textual communication, voice communication, video communication, a combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, a situation may exist in which the at least one intimacy setting indicates that a local user is to interact with an incoming voice call via a textual user interface of a local device. By way of example but not limitation, at least one intimacy setting 204 may indicate that a local user 104L is to interact with an incoming voice call via a textual user interface 516 of a local communication device 102L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6J illustrates example operations 650, 650 a, and 650 b. For certain example embodiments, a situation in accordance with operation 650 may exist wherein the first communication modality comprises voice communication, and the second communication modality comprises textual communication. By way of example but not limitation, a first communication modality 106-1 may comprise voice communication, and a second communication modality 106-2 may comprise textual communication. Furthermore, an operation 650 a or 650 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting comprises detecting responsive at least partly to the at least one intimacy setting that a voice connection associated with the one or more signals corresponding to the voice communication is to be effectuated at least partially using textual input or maintaining the voice connection associated with the one or more signals corresponding to the voice communication, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may detect, responsive at least partly to at least one intimacy setting 204, that a voice connection associated with one or more signals 202 corresponding to a voice communication is to be effectuated at least partially using textual input and may maintain the voice connection associated with the one or more signals 202 corresponding to the voice communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 6K illustrates example operations 652 a, 652 b, and 652 c; and 654 a, 654 b, and 654 c, which may relate to operations 650 a, 650 b, and 650 c. For certain example embodiments, an operation 652 a or 652 b or 652 c may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting further comprises (e.g., in addition to operations 650 a, 650 b, and 650 c) accepting user text input as text data or causing the text data to be converted to voice data or transmitting the voice data as part of the voice connection, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept local user 104L text input as text data, may cause the text data to be converted to voice data (e.g., using a conversion effectuator 402 (e.g., of FIG. 4A)), and may transmit the voice data as part of a maintained voice connection (e.g., to remote communication device 102R). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 654 a or 654 b or 654 c may be directed at least partially to wherein the responding to the one or more signals corresponding to the first communication modality based at least partly on user interaction via a second communication modality in accordance with at least one intimacy setting further comprises (e.g., in addition to operations 650 a, 650 b, 650 c, 652 a, 652 b, and 652 c) receiving additional voice data as part of the voice connection or causing the additional voice data to be converted to additional text data or presenting the additional text data as text output, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive additional voice data as part of a maintained voice connection (e.g., from a remote communication device 102R), may cause the additional voice data to be converted to additional text data (e.g., with a conversion effectuator 402 (e.g., of FIG. 4A)), and may present the additional text data as text output (e.g., to a local user 104L). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7A is a flow diagram 700A illustrating an example method for participating in a multi-modality communication, in accordance with certain example embodiments. As illustrated, flow diagram 700A may include any of operations 702-704. Although operations 702-704 are shown or described in a particular order, it should be understood that methods may be performed in alternative manners without departing from claimed subject matter, including, but not limited to, with a different order or number of operations or with a different relationship between or among operations. Also, at least some operations of flow diagram 700A may be performed so as to be fully or partially overlapping with other operation(s). By way of example and not limitation, certain operations of FIGS. 7A-7N are described herein below with particular reference to one or more actions of FIGS. 4D-4G. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, a method for at least attempting to participate in a mixed-modality communication, in which the method may be at least partially implemented using hardware, may comprise an operation 702 or an operation 704. An operation 702 may be directed at least partially to receiving at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 a, etc.). An operation 704 may be directed at least partially to transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may transmit at least one message to continue the communication, with the at least one message indicating that interaction by a local user 104L is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 c, 418 b, a combination thereof, etc.). For example implementations, transmitting may be accomplished at least in part by transmitting at least one message to a remote communication device 102R, by initiating transmission of at least one message toward a remote communication device 102R, by transmitting at least one message from a local communication device 102L, by transmitting at least one message away from a programmatic entity (e.g., a module, an operating system, an application or app, a combination thereof, etc.), by transmitting at least one message from a communication port or network interface, any combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIGS. 7B-7N depict example alternatives for a flow diagram of FIG. 7A in accordance with certain example embodiments. As illustrated, flow diagrams of FIGS. 7B-7N may include any of the illustrated or described operations. Although operations are shown or described in a particular order, it should be understood that methods may be performed in alternative manners without departing from claimed subject matter, including, but not limited to, with a different order or number of operations or with a different relationship between or among operations. Also, at least some operations of flow diagrams of FIGS. 7B-7N may be performed so as to be fully or partially overlapping with other operation(s).

For certain example embodiments, one or more operations may be performed wherein the first communication modality and the second communication modality comprise different communication modalities selected from a group of communication modalities comprising: textual communication, voice communication, or video communication. By way of example but not limitation, operation 702 or 704 may be performed with the first communication modality comprising textual communication, voice communication, or video communication and with the second communication modality comprising a different one of textual communication, voice communication, or video communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7B illustrates example operations 708, 710, and 712. For certain example embodiments, an operation 708 may be directed at least partially to wherein the receiving at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality comprises receiving the at least one notification of the communication, the at least one notification comprising an incoming voice call notification. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive at least one notification of an incoming voice call from a remote communication device 102R (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 a, etc.). For an example implementation, a ringing message may be received at a local communication device 102L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 710 may be directed at least partially to wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality comprises (e.g., in conjunction with operation 708) transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication using voice connection signaling, the at least one message indicating that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially via text messaging. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may transmit a message to continue the communication using a signaling channel associated with voice calls (e.g., for a cellular voice connection), using signaling system no. 7 (SS7) signaling, using a voice connection protocol, using a call answer or call acceptance notification, any combination thereof, and so forth, with the message including at least one indication that interaction by a local user 104L is to occur at least partially via text messaging. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 712 may be directed at least partially to wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality comprises responsive at least partly to the at least one notification, transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication to accept an initial communication request. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may transmit a message to continue a communication to thereby accept a received initial communication request. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may transmit a message to continue a communication without a contemporaneous command by a local user 104L with respect to which communication modality is desired by a local user 104L based, at least in part, on at least one intimacy setting that was stored prior to receipt of a notification of the communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7C illustrates an example operation 706C of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 714 a or 714 b. For certain example embodiments, an operation 714 a or 714 b may be directed at least partially to accepting local user interaction via the first communication modality; or participating in at least part of the communication by transmitting user communication data derived from the local user interaction accepted via the first communication modality, respectively, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, is performed after the accepting and the participating. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept local user interaction from a local user 104L via a first communication modality and may participate in a communication by transmitting communication data derived from the local user interaction accepted via the first communication modality prior to transmitting a message to continue the communication with local user interaction occurring via a second communication modality. For an example implementation, a local user 104L may participate in a communication using an original or first communication modality implicitly requested by an initiating remote user 104R prior to requesting to migrate the communication such that the local user 104L may interact with a local communication device 102L via a second communication modality. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7D illustrates example operations 716, 718, 720, and 722. For certain example embodiments, an operation 716 may be directed at least partially to wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality comprises transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user input interaction is to occur via the first communication modality and that local user output interaction is to occur via the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local user 104L may indicate via a transmitted message an intention to continue a communication but to participate in the communication by interacting with a local communication device 102L via a first communication modality with respect to a user input interface 516 a (e.g., of FIG. 5) and via a second communication modality with respect to a user output interface 516 b (e.g., of FIG. 5). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 718 may be directed at least partially to wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality comprises transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user input interaction is to occur via the second communication modality and that local user output interaction is to occur via the first communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local user 104L may indicate via a transmitted message (e.g., in accordance with an action 418 b, etc.) an intention to continue a communication but to participate in the communication by interacting with a local communication device 102L via a first communication modality with respect to a user output interface 516 b (e.g., in accordance with an action 418 f, etc.) and via a second communication modality with respect to a user input interface 516 a (e.g., in accordance with an action 418 g, etc.). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 720 may be directed at least partially to wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality comprises transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user input interaction is to occur via the second communication modality and that local user output interaction is to occur via the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local user 104L may indicate via a transmitted message (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 c, etc.) an intention to continue a communication but to participate in the communication by interacting with a local communication device 102L via a second communication modality with respect to a user output interface 516 b (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 h, 414 c, a combination thereof, etc.) and with respect to a user input interface 516 a (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 i, 414 d, a combination thereof, etc.). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 722 may be directed at least partially to wherein the first communication modality comprises voice communication, and the second communication modality comprises textual communication; and wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality comprises transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that a remote user is to be presented communication output including at least partially artificial speech that is derived from text entered by a local user. By way of example but not limitation, a message that is transmitted from a local communication device 102L may indicate that a remote user 104R, if a communication is continued without further negotiation of communication modalities, may be presented communication output via a user output interface 516 b (e.g., at least one speaker) that includes at least partially artificial speech. For certain example implementations, at least partially artificial speech may comprise speech that is at least partially computer generated, speech that is at least partially synthesized, speech that is generated using a repository of vocal sounds (e.g., a bank of recorded speech samples), speech that is electronically generated from text data, any combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7E illustrates an example operation 706E of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 724 or example operation 726, which may be in conjunction with operation 724. For certain example embodiments, an operation 724 may be directed at least partially to ascertaining at least one intimacy setting that is established prior to the receiving, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, is performed responsive at least partly to the ascertaining. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may, prior to transmitting a message indicating how a local user 104L wishes to interact with local communication device 102L during a communication, ascertain at least one intimacy setting 204 (e.g., of FIG. 2) that a local user 104L established prior to receiving a notification of the communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 726 may be directed at least partially to wherein the ascertaining at least one intimacy setting that is established prior to the receiving (e.g., of operation 724) comprises detecting that the at least one intimacy setting indicates that a local user is willing to expose textual communications in response to voice communications. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may detect that an ascertained at least one intimacy setting 204 indicates that a local user 104L wishes to interact with local communication device 102L using a textual user interface in response to an incoming communication that corresponds to voice communication. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7F illustrates an example operation 706F of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 728 or 730. For certain example embodiments, an operation 728 may be directed at least partially to responsive at least partly to the receiving of the at least one notification, presenting a local user an option to select to participate in the communication with local user interaction via the first communication modality or with local user interaction at least partially via the second communication modality, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, is performed at least partially responsive to selection of an option by the local user. By way of example but not limitation, at least partly responsive to receiving a notification of a communication corresponding to a first communication modality, a local communication device 102L may provide a user interface feature (e.g., a physical switch, knob, etc.; a set of options displayed on a screen; a combination thereof, etc.) that enables a local user 104L to select between or among two or more options, such as continuing with the communication using interaction via the first communication modality or such as continuing with the communication using interaction at least partially via a second communication modality. At least in such an example scenario, transmission of a message to continue the communication, including but not limited to a content of the message, may depend at least partly on a selection by a local user 104L of at least one option provided by the user interface feature. For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may enable a local user 104L to select a communication modality after a communication notification has been received. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 730 may be directed at least partially to presenting to a local user converted user communication data that is converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may present to a local user 104L converted user communication data that is converted from corresponding to a first communication modality to corresponding to a second communication modality (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 h, 414 c, a combination thereof, etc.). For an example implementation, converted text data, which is converted from voice data provided by a remote user 104R to a remote communication device 102R, may be presented to a local user 104L by a local communication device 102L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7G illustrates example operations 732 or 734 and example operations 736 or 738, which may be in conjunction with operations 730 and 734, respectively. For certain example embodiments, an operation 732 may be directed at least partially to causing user communication data to be converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality to produce the converted user communication data. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may cause user communication data to be converted from corresponding to a first communication modality to corresponding to a second communication modality (e.g., in accordance with an action 412 g, etc.). For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may cause voice communication data to be converted to text communication data. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 734 may be directed at least partially to receiving the converted user communication data from an external source. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive converted user communication data from an external source that has performed a conversion from user communication data (e.g., in accordance with an action 414 b, etc.). For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may receive converted text data, which has been converted from voice data, from an external source. By way of example but not limitation, an external source may comprise a remote communication device 102R, a conversion node 408, an intermediate node between remote communication device 102R and local communication device 102L along a channel 108 (e.g., a telecommunications node, a gateway node, a server node, an internet-based node, some combination thereof, etc.), a combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 736 may be directed at least partially to wherein the receiving the converted user communication data from an external source (e.g., of operation 734) comprises receiving the converted user communication data from the external source, the external source comprising a remote communication device associated with a remote user that is participating in the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive converted user communication data from a remote communication device 102R that is associated with a remote user 104R that is participating in a communication with a local user 104L that is associated with local communication device 102L (e.g., in accordance with an action 414 b, etc.). For an example implementation, a remote communication device 102R may convert voice communication data accepted from a remote user 104R to produce converted text communication data, and remote communication device 102R may transmit the converted text communication data to a local communication device 102L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 738 may be directed at least partially to wherein the receiving the converted user communication data from an external source (e.g., of operation 734) comprises receiving the converted user communication data from the external source, the external source comprising an external communication node. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive converted user communication data from a conversion node 408, from an intermediate node between remote communication device 102R and local communication device 102L along a channel 108 that is at least partly responsible for conversion (e.g., a telecommunications node, a gateway node, a server node, an internet-based node, some combination thereof, etc.), a combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7H illustrates an example operation 706H of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 740 or 742. For certain example embodiments, an operation 740 may be directed at least partially to receiving from a remote communication device at least one other message to continue the communication, the at least one other message offering to alter at least one communication modality for the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive from a remote communication device 102R a message to continue a communication with the message requesting a change in at least one communication modality of the communication. For an example implementation, a message may request that a communication be migrated fully to a second communication modality, be migrated fully or partially to a third communication modality, be migrated to a third and a fourth communication modality, be changed such that a remote user 104R is to interact with remote communication device 102R via a second communication modality for an input interface or an output interface (e.g., but continue to interact via a first communication modality for the other interface), be changed such that a local user 104L interacts with a local communication device 102L for at least one of input interaction or output interaction using other than a second communication modality, any combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 742 may be directed at least partially to negotiating a location or a communication device to perform a conversion of communication data based, at least in part, on bandwidth consumed by communication data corresponding to the first communication modality and bandwidth consumed by communication data corresponding to the second communication modality. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may negotiate with a remote communication device 102R, with an intermediate node, with a conversion node, a combination thereof, etc. to determine a location or a communication device that is to perform a conversion. For an example implementation, a negotiation may be based at least partly on a bandwidth (e.g., a communication bandwidth, a storage bandwidth, a processing bandwidth, a combination thereof, etc.) consumed by (unconverted) communication data versus a bandwidth consumed by converted communication data during transmission, during storage, during conversion, any combination thereof, and so forth. For instance, if transmission bandwidth is at a premium, a negotiation may result in voice data being converted to text data prior to transmission. Additionally or alternatively, if processing bandwidth (e.g., at a remote communication device 102R, a local communication device 102L, an intermediate or other node, a combination thereof, etc.) is at a premium, a negotiation may result in a conversion being performed at a location having relatively more processing power, relatively more available processing capacity, a combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7I illustrates an example operation 706 l of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operations 744 a and 744 b or example operations 746 a and 746 b. For certain example embodiments, an operation 744 a or 744 b may be directed at least partially to accepting user communication data via the second communication modality to obtain user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality or causing the user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality to be converted to converted user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept user communication data from a local user 104L via a second communication modality and may cause the accepted user communication data to be converted to converted user communication data corresponding to a first communication modality (e.g., in accordance with actions 412 i and 412 j, actions 414 d and 416 a, actions 418 g and 418 h, a combination thereof, etc.). For an example implementation, a local communication device 102L may accept text data via a text-based input interface in accordance with a textual communication modality and may cause the text data to be converted to voice data. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 746 a or 746 b may be directed at least partially to accepting user communication data via at least one user input interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication and presenting user communication data via at least one user output interface in accordance with the first communication modality for the communication, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept user communication data via at least one user input interface 516 a in accordance with a second communication modality (e.g., text) and may present user communication data via at least one user output interface 516 b in accordance with a first communication modality (e.g., voice) for a given communication (e.g., in accordance with an action 418 g and an action 418 f, respectively, etc.). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7J illustrates an example operation 706J of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operations 748 a and 748 b or example operations 750 a and 750 b. For certain example embodiments, an operation 748 a or 748 b may be directed at least partially to accepting user communication data via at least one user input interface in accordance with the first communication modality for the communication or presenting user communication data via at least one user output interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept user communication data via at least one user input interface 516 a in accordance with a first communication modality (e.g., voice) and may present user communication data via at least one user output interface 516 b in accordance with a second communication modality (e.g., text) for a given communication. For an example implementation, for a given communication in which a remote user 104R initiates a communication and intends to interact with a remote communication device 102R via voice for both input and output, a local communication device 102L may accept voice input from a local user 104L and may present text output to local user 104L. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 750 a or 750 b may be directed at least partially to accepting user communication data via at least one user input interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication or presenting user communication data via at least one user output interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept user communication data via at least one user input interface 516 a in accordance with a second communication modality (e.g., text) and present user communication data via at least one user output interface 516 b in accordance with the second communication modality for a given communication (e.g., in accordance with actions 412 i and 412 h, actions 414 d and 414 c, a combination thereof, etc.). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7K illustrates an example operation 706K of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 752. For certain example embodiments, an operation 752 may be directed at least partially to receiving converted remote user communication data that is converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality by a remote communication device associated with a remote user that is participating in the communication. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive converted remote user communication data (e.g., converted voice data, converted text data, a combination thereof, etc.) that is converted from corresponding to a first communication modality (e.g., voice or text) to corresponding to a second communication modality (e.g., text or voice, respectively) by a remote communication device 102R that is associated with a remote user 104R that is participating in a communication with a local user 104L (e.g., in accordance with an action 414 b for a converted text data example, etc.). However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7L illustrates an example operation 706L of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 754 a, 754 b, or 754 c. For certain example embodiments, an operation 754 a, 754 b, or 754 c may be directed at least partially to accepting local user communication data via the second communication modality to obtain local user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality, causing the local user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality to be converted to converted local user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality, or transmitting the converted local user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality to the remote communication device, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may accept local user text data as input by a local user 104L, may cause the local user text data to be converted to converted local user voice data, and may transmit the converted local user voice data to a remote communication device 102R (e.g., in accordance with actions 412 i, 412 j, and 412 k; actions 414 d, 416 a, and 416 b; or actions 418 g, 418 h, and 418 i; a combination thereof; etc.). Additionally or alternatively, a local communication device 102L may accept local user voice data, convert it to converted local user text data, and transmit the converted local user text data. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7M illustrates an example operation 706M of performing one or more additional operations, such as example operation 756 a, 756 b, or 756 c. For certain example embodiments, an operation 756 a, 756 b, or 756 c may be directed at least partially to receiving remote user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality, causing the remote user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality to be converted to converted remote user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality, and presenting the converted remote user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality to a local user via at least one user output interface in accordance with the second communication modality, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may receive remote user voice data, may cause the remote user voice data to be converted to converted remote user text data, and may present the converted remote user text data to a local user 104L via at least one user output interface 516 b (e.g., in accordance with actions 412 f, 412 g, and 412 h; etc.). Additionally or alternatively, a local communication device 102L may receive remote user text data, may cause the remote user text data to be converted to converted remote user voice data, and may present the converted remote user voice data. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

FIG. 7N illustrates example operations 758 a and 758 b or example operations 760 a and 760 b, which may be in conjunction with operations 758 a or 758 b, respectively. For certain example embodiments, an operation 758 a or 758 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the first communication modality comprises voice communication, and the second communication modality comprises textual communication, and wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises transmitting a first message to accept the communication or transmitting a second message to indicate that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially in accordance with the textual communication, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a local communication device 102L may transmit a first message in accordance with at least one voice signaling protocol to accept a communication and may transmit a second message to indicate that interaction by a local user 104L is to occur at least partially via textual communication. For an example implementation, a first message may traverse a different channel from that of a second message. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, an operation 760 a or 760 b may be directed at least partially to wherein the transmitting a first message to accept the communication comprises transmitting the first message to answer a voice call or establish a voice connection or to wherein the transmitting a second message to indicate that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially in accordance with the textual communication comprises transmitting the second message to cause a remote communication device to play an audible message to a remote user to indicate that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially in accordance with the textual communication, respectively. By way of example but not limitation, a first message to accept a voice communication may comprise a message to answer a call (e.g., signaling an off-hook condition) or to establish a voice connection (e.g., an ACK message, an OK message, a combination thereof, etc.). By way of example but not limitation, a second message may cause a remote communication device 102R to play an audible message to a remote user 104R to indicate that interaction by a local user 104L is to occur at least partially via a textual interface. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

For certain example embodiments, a method, a process, etc. may further be directed at least partially to wherein the second message comprises the audible message, and the audible message comprises sounds in a voice of a local user for the remote user to hear. By way of example but not limitation, a second message transmitted by a local communication device 102L may include an audible message that includes sounds in a voice of a local user 104L that may be played for a remote user 104R to listen to. For an example implementation, an audible message may be spoken if or when a local user 104L determines to change a communication modality that may be expected by a remote user 104R, may be pre-recorded for retrieval from memory of a local communication device 102L if or when a local user 104R determines to change a communication modality, may be pre-recorded for retrieval from memory of a local communication device 102L if it is to be sent responsive to ascertainment of at least one intimacy setting, any combination thereof, and so forth. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, etc.

It should be appreciated that the particular embodiments (e.g., processes, apparatuses, systems, media, arrangements, etc.) described herein are merely possible implementations of the present disclosure, and that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular implementations described herein or shown in the accompanying figures.

In addition, in alternative implementations, certain acts, operations, etc. need not be performed in the order described, and they may be modified and/or may be omitted entirely, depending on the circumstances. Moreover, in various implementations, the acts or operations described may be implemented by a computer, controller, processor, programmable device, or any other suitable device, and may be based on instructions stored on one or more computer-readable or processor-accessible media or otherwise stored or programmed into such devices. If computer-readable media are used, the computer-readable media may be, by way of example but not limitation, any available media that can be accessed by a device to implement the instructions stored thereon.

Various methods, systems, techniques, etc. have been described herein in the general context of processor-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more processors or other devices. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, combinations thereof, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, functionality of program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various alternative embodiments. In addition, embodiments of methods, systems, techniques, etc. may be stored on or transmitted across some form of device-accessible media.

It may also be appreciated that there may be little distinction between hardware implementations and software implementations for aspects of systems, methods, etc. that are disclosed herein. Use of hardware or software may generally be a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs, for example. However, in certain contexts, a choice between hardware and software (e.g., for an entirety or a given portion of an implementation) may become significant. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes, systems, technologies, etc. described herein may be effected (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, combinations thereof, etc.), and that a preferred vehicle may vary depending upon a context in which the processes, systems, technologies, etc. are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, an implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle. Alternatively, if flexibility is deemed paramount, an implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation. In still other implementations, an implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are multiple possible vehicles by which processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected. Which vehicle may be desired over another may be a choice dependent upon a context in which a vehicle is to be deployed or specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, predictability, etc.) of an implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of example implementations may employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and/or firmware.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in fashion(s) as set forth herein, and thereafter use standard engineering practices to realize such described devices and/or processes into workable systems having described functionality. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein may be realized via a reasonable amount of experimentation.

Aspects and drawings described herein illustrate different components contained within, or connected with, other different components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are presented merely by way of example, and that many other architectures may be implemented to achieve identical or similar functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve described functionality may be considered effectively “associated” such that desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two or more components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality may be seen as “associated with” each other such that desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two or more components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operably coupled” (or “operatively connected,” or “operatively coupled”) to each other to achieve desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” (or “operatively couplable”) to each other to achieve desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least some aspects of embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented at least partially via integrated circuits (ICs), as one or more computer programs running on one or more computing devices, as one or more software programs running on one or more processors, as firmware, as any combination thereof, and so forth. It will be further understood that designing circuitry and/or writing code for software and/or firmware may be accomplished by a person skilled in the art in light of the teachings and explanations of this disclosure.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various example embodiments of devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, examples, combinations thereof, etc. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, examples, combinations thereof, etc. may contain or represent one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, examples, combination thereof, etc. may be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, any combination thereof, and so forth. For example, in some embodiments, one or more portions of subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of example embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, may be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, as virtually any combination thereof, etc. and that designing circuitry and/or writing code for software and/or firmware is within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of subject matter described herein applies regardless of a particular type of signal-bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, and computer memory; and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g., packet links).

Although particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that inventive subject matter is defined by the appended claims.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two item,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

As a further example of “open” terms in the present specification including the claims, it will be understood that usage of a language construction of “A or B” is generally interpreted, unless context dictates otherwise, as a non-exclusive “open term” meaning: A alone, B alone, and/or A and B together. Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

Although various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for at least attempting to participate in a mixed-modality communication, the method being at least partially implemented using hardware, the method comprising: receiving at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality; and transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication modality and the second communication modality comprise different communication modalities selected from a group of communication modalities comprising: textual communication, voice communication, or video communication.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality comprises: receiving the at least one notification of the communication, the at least one notification comprising an incoming voice call notification.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication using voice connection signaling, the at least one message indicating that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially via text messaging.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: responsive at least partly to the at least one notification, transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication to accept an initial communication request.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accepting local user interaction via the first communication modality; and participating in at least part of the communication by transmitting user communication data derived from the local user interaction accepted via the first communication modality, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, is performed after the accepting and the participating.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user input interaction is to occur via the first communication modality and that local user output interaction is to occur via the second communication modality.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user input interaction is to occur via the second communication modality and that local user output interaction is to occur via the first communication modality.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user input interaction is to occur via the second communication modality and that local user output interaction is to occur via the second communication modality.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication modality comprises voice communication, and the second communication modality comprises textual communication; and wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: transmitting the at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that a remote user is to be presented communication output including at least partially artificial speech that is derived from text entered by a local user.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: ascertaining at least one intimacy setting that is established prior to the receiving, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, is performed responsive at least partly to the ascertaining.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the ascertaining at least one intimacy setting that is established prior to the receiving comprises: detecting that the at least one intimacy setting indicates that a local user is willing to expose textual communications in response to voice communications.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: responsive at least partly to the receiving of the at least one notification, presenting a local user an option to select to participate in the communication with local user interaction via the first communication modality or with local user interaction at least partially via the second communication modality, wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, is performed at least partially responsive to selection of an option by the local user.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting to a local user converted user communication data that is converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: causing user communication data to be converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality to produce the converted user communication data.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving the converted user communication data from an external source.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving the converted user communication data from an external source comprises: receiving the converted user communication data from the external source, the external source comprising a remote communication device associated with a remote user that is participating in the communication.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving the converted user communication data from an external source comprises: receiving the converted user communication data from the external source, the external source comprising an external communication node.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving from a remote communication device at least one other message to continue the communication, the at least one other message offering to alter at least one communication modality for the communication.
 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: negotiating a location or a communication device to perform a conversion of communication data based, at least in part, on bandwidth consumed by communication data corresponding to the first communication modality and bandwidth consumed by communication data corresponding to the second communication modality.
 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accepting user communication data via the second communication modality to obtain user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality; and causing the user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality to be converted to converted user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality.
 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accepting user communication data via at least one user input interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication; and presenting user communication data via at least one user output interface in accordance with the first communication modality for the communication.
 23. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accepting user communication data via at least one user input interface in accordance with the first communication modality for the communication; and presenting user communication data via at least one user output interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication.
 24. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accepting user communication data via at least one user input interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication; and presenting user communication data via at least one user output interface in accordance with the second communication modality for the communication.
 25. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving converted remote user communication data that is converted from corresponding to the first communication modality to corresponding to the second communication modality by a remote communication device associated with a remote user that is participating in the communication.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: accepting local user communication data via the second communication modality to obtain local user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality; causing the local user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality to be converted to converted local user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality; and transmitting the converted local user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality to the remote communication device.
 27. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving remote user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality; causing the remote user communication data corresponding to the first communication modality to be converted to converted remote user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality; and presenting the converted remote user communication data corresponding to the second communication modality to a local user via at least one user output interface in accordance with the second communication modality.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication modality comprises voice communication, and the second communication modality comprises textual communication; and wherein the transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality, comprises: transmitting a first message to accept the communication; and transmitting a second message to indicate that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially in accordance with the textual communication.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein: the transmitting a first message to accept the communication comprises: transmitting the first message to answer a voice call or establish a voice connection; and the transmitting a second message to indicate that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially in accordance with the textual communication comprises: transmitting the second message to cause a remote communication device to play an audible message to a remote user to indicate that the local user interaction is to occur at least partially in accordance with the textual communication.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the second message comprises the audible message, and the audible message comprises sounds in a voice of a local user for the remote user to hear.
 31. One or more processor-accessible non-transitory media bearing instructions that, if executed, perform a method comprising: receiving at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality; and transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality. 32-60. (canceled)
 61. A device for at least attempting to participate in a mixed-modality communication, the device comprising: circuitry for receiving at least one notification of a communication that corresponds to a first communication modality; and circuitry for transmitting at least one message to continue the communication, the at least one message indicating that local user interaction is to occur at least partially via a second communication modality. 62-90. (canceled) 